TL/Editor: looloo

    Status: ongoing

    Illustrations: posted in discord

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    I wanted to rush over and hug Sarang, who had practically sprinted to me, but I couldn''t bring myself to do it. Even though it was just volunteer work, the children''s safety was at stake, so I couldn''t be careless.

    Only after the traffic light changed and I lowered the flag to stop the children from crossing did I pat Sarang''s head with one hand.

    "Our Sarang, you did so well following what mom and dad taught you. I''m so proud of you!"

    "Hehe! Daddy, what are you doing here? Are you gonna do this every day now?!"

    "Just sometimes. Were you surprised?"

    "I was so surprised! I was sad when you weren''t there this morning, but now I''m happy!"

    "Oh no, were you sad because daddy wasn''t there?"

    "Yeah! I brushed my teeth and came out, but you weren''t there!"

    "I''m sorry I didn''t tell you. But you''re happy to see me now, right?"

    "I am!"

    While keeping an eye on our surroundings, I chatted briefly with Sarang, who was clinging to my leg. Next to her, Jooeun held onto Sarang''s sleeve, hiding behind her and nodding shyly.

    "Hello, mister..."

    "Hi Jooeun. Did you come with Sarang?"

    "Yes..."

    She''s quite energetic when playing at the playground, but she becomes quite shy when I''m around. It''s not uncomfortable, just a bit timid. I guess it''s because I''m an adult man.

    Being called "mister" stung a bit, but being called "oppa" would''ve been worse, and having my daughter''s friend call me "uncle" didn''t feel right either.

    After that, two more girls who seemed to be Sarang''s classmates greeted me one after another.

    "Hello!"

    "Hello! Are you Sarang''s mister?!"

    "Yes, I''m Sarang''s dad. Hello, everyone~"

    "You look like an oppa!"

    "Yeah, really!"

    "Haha. Come on now, oppa?"

    "He''s my daddy~"

    What sweet children, aren''t they?

    Not because they thought I was an oppa, but because each child had their own unique charm. Among them, Sarang puffing up with pride saying "He''s my daddy~" was the cutest thing in the universe. ???о?E?S??

    After listening to them chatter around me like little chicks for a moment, I sensed it was time to send them on their way. I needed to continue managing traffic safety, and the kids couldn''t be late either.

    "Alright kids, time to go. Your teacher will be waiting."

    "Okay!"

    Their chorus-like response was adorable too.

    As I watched them fondly, Sarang looked up at me with a slightly disappointed face.

    "Daddy, are you coming home late today?"

    "Hmm... A little? Why?"

    "I want to play with you..."

    "I''ll try to come home as soon as I can. Until then, can you wash your hands well, eat your food, do your homework, and wait for me?"

    "Okay! But you have to come home quickly!"

    "I will. Now, go with your friends."

    "See you later! Bye-bye, Daddy!"

    "Bye-bye~"

    I waved goodbye to Sarang as I watched the children walk away. They were giggling and chattering excitedly, with Sarang at the center of it all.

    Sarang kept glancing back at me as she walked. Once the children were out of sight, I refocused on traffic safety.

    This really felt like the most fun activity I''d done in a while. It was great to have that brief chat with a surprised Sarang and to see some of her friends I hadn''t met before.

    Plus, the volunteer work itself was rewarding.

    And in this short moment, I once again felt keenly that Sarang was Heena''s—our daughter. While talking to me, she kept wanting to take out the smartphone from her pocket.

    She probably wanted to take a picture, but she didn''t because we''d told her not to use her smartphone on the way to and from school unless it was important.

    Our daughter is so adorable and well-behaved that no amount of praise could do her justice.

    ---Raei Translations---

    The morning''s volunteer work, which turned out to be much more fun than I''d expected, came to an end. Before heading to work, I chatted a bit longer with the mothers who had come out today.@@@@

    I''d left plenty of time in case I wasn''t sure how things would go today, and as a parent myself, I figured some casual interaction and information exchange couldn''t hurt.

    Of course, most of it was just chit-chat about the kids. What they liked these days, which celebrities they were into.

    "My daughter copies every idol she sees on TV."

    "She did? She said she wished I was Seyeon''s dad?"

    "Yeah. And we were supposed to play at the playground, but she said she wanted you to play too."

    "I see. Should we go to the playground with Daddy this weekend and play with your friends?"

    "...Okay..."

    Sarang''s response here wasn''t very enthusiastic. This wasn''t like her – she wouldn''t dislike going to the playground with me, even if her friends were involved.

    "Don''t you want to go with Daddy?"

    "I like playing with Daddy."

    "Then? What don''t you like, Sarang?"

    "Seyeon keeps saying in the chat that she wishes you were her dad! She keeps saying she wants to play with you!"

    *Bang! Bang!*

    Sarang expressed her displeasure by hitting the sofa. Did she dislike it that much?

    "You didn''t like that?"

    "No! Daddy is Sarang''s daddy! You''re only supposed to play with me! She keeps saying she wants to play too!"

    "I see~"

    Listening to her, it was both serious and not serious at all. In short, Sarang''s possessiveness had flared up.

    And now I could understand why Heena''s answer wasn''t very helpful. Her possessiveness must have flared up too.

    They say there are three times in life when a person is popular, and it seems like all three have come for me at once.

    The first was when I met Heena.

    The second was Sarang.

    And the third is now.

    Ha.

    What am I supposed to do with all this popularity? Sorry for being so handsome!

    If my friends had heard that thought, they would have beaten me up. With that amusing thought, I spoke gently.

    "Daddy is always Sarang''s daddy. But you didn''t fight with your friend, right?"

    "We didn''t fight... But Jooeun, you know. When we were coming home earlier."

    "What about Jooeun?"

    "She got angry for me! She said you''re Sarang''s daddy, and Seyeon shouldn''t keep saying weird things!"

    "Oh~ Jooeun is very kind."

    "Yeah! I like Jooeun so much!"

    When I mentioned Jooeun, a smile returned to Sarang''s face. She seemed happy.

    Is this the power of long-time neighborhood friends, true friends? I should buy Jooeun something delicious later.

    Anyway, it was time to wrap up this conversation.

    "But Daddy wants to play with Sarang at the playground too, so can you play with your friend for a little bit then? Of course, I''ll play with Sarang the most."

    "Okay... But I''m number one!"

    "Of course. Sarang is always number one!"

    "Then it''s okay!"

    "I want to go too."

    And while I was making playground plans with Sarang, Heena suddenly chimed in.

    What''s this about? I mean, I don''t mind if she comes along, but...

    "Didn''t you say you had something to do this weekend?"

    "I do, but I can spare a bit of time for some fresh air."

    "Really?"

    "Yeah. And you know Sarang and I are joint number ones, right?"

    "Haha... Of course."

    Of course I know.

    But you''re not going to give Seyeon a flick on the forehead when we get there, are you?

    Author''s Note:

    The plot''s been revealed.

    ---

    enjoy! :)

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